The road to the military outpost was difficult. The soldiers and their captive kept running into sheer walls of rock or canyons that were not marked on their maps. What should have been a day or two of travel stretched into a week. Gandr was completely unhelpful. He alternated between a vicious grin and groaning in pain from headaches as he felt Junayd's emotions. Every time Gandr stopped, Nurlan threatened to pick him up and carry him. It was enough to force the little gnome onward.
After the fifth dead-end wall that morning, Junayd turned to Gandr, "You are the one doing this, aren't you?! The only place I've seen cliffs like these is west of Oblivion and we are nowhere close to them." Junayd pointed backwards. "And behind us, there is only flat, beautiful ground. I swear that ground to the left was a canyon not fifteen minutes ago."
Gandr smiled but it did not reach his eyes. "You must be mistaken. I see no canyon."
Nurlan shoved the gnome. "I think you are o
The forest thinned and the air became cooler. They were growing nearer to the ice barrier. Aurora found once again that she was very glad for the Guardian's cloak. At times in the evening, she could see her breath, but the strange black cloth kept her warm. As Devrim had no such luck, he wore a thick fur-lined coat that he bundled around himself to sleep. The days were still warm, but not hot like they had been.Since leaving Junayd and Nurlan, Devrim had given up his overtures of love for the time being. They were alone, and despite his desires, he was afraid of making things awkward. If she accepted him, then they might do something they would regret. He longed to hold her tightly, but he wanted it to be her genuine desire and not a decision based on fear of the unknown. Devrim wanted to do things right. Her honor was his highest priority. On the other hand, if Aurora rejected him, they would still have to finish their journey and return home together. He pictured her stayi
Aurora's and Devrim's eyes grew wide. Not only were the gnomes stopping, they were going fishing! Was the seal wrong; could gnomes swim? Or did they possibly have a boat?"Why do I have to fish? I did it last time!" a gnome with a smashed nose whined. It was obvious that confrontation was a specialty of his."Because you are a hair taller than everyone else so you can walk a little deeper…and because I don't like you!" The red cap dwarf answered. The other dwarves jeered at the complainer. He quickly separated from the group along with a mousy-looking gnome in a light brown cap. The two gathered nets from their supplies and trudged into the water. The gnomes on land set up a makeshift camp complete with a fire and stools pulled from their packs. For mostly living underground, they were well equipped for life above the surface.Aurora and Devrim clung to the boulder in the water. Although they were not in danger of freezing, the constant lap of the small w
The gnomes, full of fish and well-rested, packed up their things and continued their march down the shoreline. "Where do you suppose they are off to?" Aurora said as she watched them leave.Phoca unconsciously shivered. "They have been above ground more than normal these days and messing about outside the ice barrier. We water-loving creatures are usually safe outside the barrier. We have a water cavern to get ourselves back home when we need it. But the gnomes, they rarely venture beyond their own little holes. To see them out here is truly frightening.""Will they come back?" Devrim asked.The selkie under his left arm, named Luna, answered, "I do not think so. They seemed pretty intent on heading east. They may be trying to get around to the other side of the lake, though why they would not do that inside the ice barrier is beyond me.""They are trying not to be seen doing anything suspicious where magical eyes might be spying," Aurora mused."D
Aurora awoke when it was still dark. The songstresses had stopped, and the wind was whipping against her tent with a meaningful force. The moon was gone and the sky through the tent's canvas was dark. A storm was rolling in, just as Phoca had predicted. The Empress wondered how long she had been asleep. Her mind was groggy, so she was not able to think clearly. She felt a light tickle on her arm. Aurora initially dismissed it as a piece of stray hair brushing against her skin. But then she felt a similar tickle on her leg and face also. Something was wrong, very wrong. A streak of lightning lit the sky like day, and Aurora could see that the interior of her tent was completely covered in ants. They were crawling on her body, tickling her skin and getting tangled in her hair. The Empress froze, panic taking full hold of her body. Another crack of lightning galvanized the Empress into action. She fled her tent and shook her body vigorously. The wind helped clear her ha
"My tent was dislodged by wind, and I hit my head," Aurora explained without relaying too many details. Some of them were still fuzzy, but the things she could remember were embarrassing. "I must have blacked out. When I woke up I was back on the beach with my tent and head mended. I do not know who helped me." Aurora tried to recall the voice from the night before, the one that had spoken. "It was not me," Devrim said. "Why didn't you come when I screamed?" Aurora was a little angry that her friend had not come to her aid. "For the first time in weeks, someone else was standing guard. I trusted the selkies to alert us to danger. I slept very deep. Plus, I imagine this hard wind might have carried your screams in the wrong direction." Devrim reasoned. His explanation made sense, and Aurora was in no mood to argue. Actually, part of her felt guilty that he was burdened down with keeping her safe. She wanted Junayd and Nurlan to return, and wished
Phoca, Luna and a few other of the selkies took turns pushing the boat for a time. Eventually the boat slowed, and Phoca peeked her head up over the side. "This is as far as we go, dearies." "I understand. You have helped us so much! Thank you." Aurora bowed her head to the selkie. "I will watch for your friends and lead them to the boatman also." Phoca told them. "I hope they can rejoin you on your journey soon." "Is there some way we can repay you?" The Empress asked. "If you are indeed Favored of the Fates, mention our service to you when you arrive. If you are not favored, please forget forget that we helped." Phoca said. "We will," Devrim confirmed. "One more thing: you are entering the waters where the merfolk roam. They are just as likely to drown you as help you. They are highly unpredictable. Stay on your guard, my dears." Phoca smiled at them as if they were her children. Aurora reached out of the boat and hugged the selkie a
Cafer sat across from young Alaron in the palace library. They had found a secluded room, and Cafer had brought over many books for him to read. Unaware of the councilman's presence, Alaron's personal guard stood outside the door to prevent anyone's entry. Alaron had told the guard that he wanted to study alone. "Are you sure we should be doing this?" Alaron asked doubtfully. "Chief Zan said he would be personally overseeing my tutoring lessons from now on. He said your ideas can be dangerous." Cafer looked saddened. "I do not want to speak out of turn, but I do not think Chief Zan has your best interest at heart. Does he put the same restrictions on your sister?" "Not exactly." Alaron furrowed his brow. But his sister also didn't spend as much time with Cafer. "I believe Zan wants to stunt your learning so that your sister will be the obvious successor. I just want you to have an opportunity to rule." Cafer sounded sincere and the six-year-old believ
When morning broke over the lake, Junayd and Nurlan were already awake and packing up their camp. "Best night ever!" Junayd said without hesitation. "I guess we know what kind of man you are." Nurlan joked. "What? I can't enjoy a good song?" The younger soldier asked. "As long as the song is all you enjoyed…" Phoca came up on the beach. Her wet, smooth skin and seal-like whiskers glistened in the morning light. "Good morning! I trust you slept well," she said amicably to Nurlan. "I did, ma'am, but I think we should be on our way. Could you lead us, please?" Nurlan asked with a politeness that was unusual for him. Phoca smiled, "A straightforward gentleman: how rare! I should like to know you better." She turned to Junayd, "My sisters think you are quite handsome. They would like to know if you have a lady back at home." Junayd straightened his shirt and puffed out his chest. "I am pleased to tell them I do not."
Alaron told the Empress his story. She was amazed by his words. However, it made his altered appearance make sense. His white hair had been gained by meeting the Maker while visiting the Mystic Spires, and his now silver eyes were earned in answer to his call."A Guardian," the Empress mused. "It is a high honor."The young man lowered his head humbly. "Not an honor I deserve, but one I will try to be worthy of.""But…it has been a year since all this happened." Aurora looked at him with a thousand questions in her eyes.Alaron nodded. "The Fates thought it best if I remained gone for a time. Let the world begin to heal. I spent the last year among the Fates in the Mystic Spires and got to know some of them quite well. But I knew that my time there had come to an end, and before I could return to take my place as a Guardian to help mend the world, I needed to mend our family first. That is, if you will forgive me." He bowed low again. "Will you?"There was a king painful silence. So l
The voice of the figure was one etched deep in Aurora's memory. It was almost as familiar to her as her own. It was the voice of a ghost now, yet the figure before her she was sure was flesh and bone."Clear the throne room," the Empress ordered.Nurlan stood behind her close to the throne with his hand resting lightly on his sword. "Your Majesty?" he asked, uncomprehending."Everyone out except him," she motioned to the cloaked man. "You may stay, Nurlan, if it eases your mind. And see if someone can find Hanna."The general quickly went to work. With the help of the other attending soldiers, every soul was removed from the room except the Empress, Nurlan and the mysterious figure. The man waited patiently, seemingly unconcerned with the flurry of activity his few words had caused.Aurora took a deep breath. While the figure had allowed them to be alone, she was still slightly scared that he might disappear at any time. "What forgiveness do you seek?""I seek the forgiveness of the
"Wake up! Rise and shine, Your Majesty!" Hanna said cheerily as she threw back the thick curtain that blocked the balcony. Light streamed into Aurora's bedchamber, but the woman pulled the covers over her head like a child. "You're back," the Empress groaned in a muffled voice. "I think it is sweet that you think I actually ever leave these days. Now get up!" Hanna yanked the covers back, but Aurora held on tightly. "Go away!" The stubborn woman wouldn't even open her eyes. She would not let the Fate win. "Where are my ladies-in-waiting?" "Anna, Bella and Candela are busy." Hanna answered unapologetically. "And my husband?" "He took over your very important duties and told everyone to let you sleep. It is a good thing I do not answer to him." Hanna fluttered her eyelashes innocently, but of course, Aurora did not see. Sensing the Fate would not give up her chipper attitude, Aurora pulled the only card she had left. It was, in the end, what made her unwilling to get out of bed "
With slow progress, the prisoners and the victorious army headed for Valiant. Since the city was still empty of human citizens, there was no fanfare or grand welcome for them. That was fine; they were all just happy to be one step closer to being home.Only a small skirmish awaited the Imperial Army from those left behind. The palace was easily reclaimed without the catastrophic results of the last battle fought there. The sight of the large human force in the wrong shade of blue made the gnomes flee immediately, and those left of the ill-named New Emperor's Army only put up minimal resistance.The servants on the inside of the palace, seeing their rescuers in sight, freed those in the dungeon and set off a myriad of traps and clever devices that had been left behind by the scientist but never deployed.One such device covered the unlucky recipient in a slimy goo that made them slip and slide, never able to stand in that area again. Renat was thoroughly chastened for it later and force
Brinn hurried to Ithel and her father in the corner of the tent. Out of respect for the king, Zoltan had a curtain hung around him, so it was only natural that Aurora had not spotted him and Ithel earlier."Father, I thought you were dead!" Brinn said a she rounded the partition. Her face went from hopeful to grim."I may yet be," Zoltan answered with a gentle smile. "However, the unicorns think I shall live, even if I am not exactly whole."Zoltan's body from the waist up seemed normal enough, but his lower half and legs looked horribly wrong. His legs and feet twisted awkwardly, and his pelvis was much flatter than it should be. The boulder from the giant had done irreparable damage."Oh Father!" Brinn eyes were wide with fear."It is not as bad as it looks. Well, maybe it is, but I do not feel any pain." The king received a cup of water from a servant. With Ithel's help, he sat up slightly to drink. The elven princess just stared, not knowing what to say or how to comfort her fathe
Brinn used her keen hearing to listen for her husband as she scanned the carnage of the battlefield. Alvar was many things, but quiet was not one of them. She was sure that with enough patience, she would hear the elf she was searching for.Along the ground, some fairies were popping in and gathering up the wounded and taking them to the healers. Other fairies had the more difficult task of collecting the dead. Separately she passed by elves who were still gathering the gnomes in groups to hold them until the peace talks were complete.It was amazing how quickly things had been organized. Brinn realized that these plans must have been made before the battle began because neither the fairies nor elves seemed to need direction or supervision.Even more amazing was the new King of the Gnomes. The timid, mousey gnome that Brinn had witnessed at the palace when she was pretending to be Mairwen was gone. The difference was night and day.Lukoss was walking around and ordering his new subjec
Justum considered her words. "I cannot control how you feel," he answered at last. "But the victory is yours. It is over. We will leave you to your tasks."Aurora stared past him with empty eyes. He was right about one thing. It was over.Turning to his fellow Fate, Justum held out his hand. "Your mission is complete, I assume," he said with an arched brow. "Either way, your banishment is over. Will you be coming back with us?"Hanna smiled demurely, "As welcoming that invitation was…" Her face changed to be one of concern as she looked at Aurora. "Now that I am permitted to see the Empress, I shall stay a while to make sure things run smoothly."Expecting an argument, Aurora was surprised when Justum simply nodded. "I understand."He turned to the fiery-haired woman and bowed respectfully. "Farewell, Your Majesty. May the rest of your reign be a peaceful one.""Thank you," Aurora curtsied, her years of training taking over. She then moved forward toward the Fate holding her son.Just
The entire company of the Fates exited through the celestial portal and filled the sky with their terrifying presence. Their light magic emanating from them was oppressive even to the other magical creatures.As soon as Hanna grabbed the Empress's arm, Aurora blinked and was instantly across the field beside the slowly waking Cafer. The Fate slapped the magic blocking cuffs on the gnome and stepped back as he came to his senses.Cafer grabbed his head, unsure of what had happened. The last thing he remembered was being blasted by a light before everything went dark.He had seen, but been unable to process, the source of the light on the other side of the battlefield. Whatever it was had power beyond anything he had ever seen.As he opened his eyes, he was greeted with a reproachful look from his least favorite Fate. He instinctively tried to use his earth magic to repel Hanna. That is when he noticed the cuffs on his wrists. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded as he stood to hi
Mairwen and Nurlan had finished dispensing with the leprechauns and were monitoring the capture of the dark blue troops. Minor skirmishes were going on here and there, but overall the New Emperor's army had surrendered."I want to know how Mother and Father are doing," the princess told the general. They both glanced behind them and toward the sea. They could see neither of the battles clearly. However, they could hear the sounds of war wafting over the Beachy plains and see that at least some of the ships were still floating in the sea. The Emperor and Empress still had work to do."A fairy will come and get you once it is safe," Nurlan assured her. "Until then, we will stay put."Mairwen sighed and bit the inside of her cheek. "The waiting is harder than the battling."Not wanting to contradict the princess, Nurlan shrugged. "The time certainly seems to go slower when nothing is happening," he mused.Listening quietly, Eira was glad for the moment of peace. There were far too few of